Unlike his last two training camps with the Boston Bruins, winger ChuckKobasew has reported for duty after completing the previous season healthy enough to have played through the end of the season. Of course, he battled through the Carolina playoff series with a cracked rib, but he was active nonetheless.

So instead of working out all summer with the goal of getting back healthy, Kobasew’s offseason was dominated by trying to get over the disappointing way his team’s season ended — with a seven-game loss to the Hurricanes.

“You still think about it. It’s still fresh in our minds coming into this year,” said Kobasew today after his off-ice testing on the first day of training camp in Wilmington, Mass. “That’s what makes us as athletes want to be better. You try to use it for your motivation to be better.”

Position battle: Kobasew could be a factor on both special teams as the coaching staff tries to sort out the personnel, especially on the penalty kill now that P.J. Axelsson and Stephane Yelle are gone. While Kobasew could find himself back on a line with Mark Recchi and Patrice Bergeron, it’s not out of the realm of possibility he could crack the team’s top six with a strong camp.

Projection: You can pretty much pencil in a healthy Kobasew for 20 goals this season. But his real value will come in providing the two-way game he displayed last season and providing energy when the Bruins need it.